I Was Mistaken as a Great War Commander

The following day.

Having reported for duty at the General Staff Headquarters, Daniel visited the Operations Room but was taken aback.

“We’ve been waiting for you, Operations Officer!”
“Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner! Congratulations on your survival!”
“We heard about the outcome of the negotiations! As expected of Lieutenant Colonel Steiner!”

Upon spotting Daniel, the staff members halted their tasks and showered him with applause and praise.

However, their effusive praise seemed laced more with flattery than sincerity.

‘It feels as though they are lining up before a future authority figure…’

From their perspective, it was not an unreasonable assessment.

The war hero, presumed dead, had not only survived but also successfully concluded negotiations with the Prime Minister of Velanos.

Furthermore, upon his return, he had a private audience with His Majesty the Emperor? It was natural for them to perceive Daniel as the rising star of the Empire during this transition of power.

Although Daniel had nearly met his demise during the audience with the Emperor, he could not voice that and merely nodded in acknowledgment.

As they exchanged pleasantries, the door to the Operations Director’s office opened.

Ernst emerged, beaming at Daniel.

“Daniel Steiner!”

Calling out his name, Ernst approached Daniel.

“Welcome back! Do you know how worried I was about you? I’m truly grateful for your safe return!”
“Ah, Operations Director.”

As Daniel attempted to salute, Ernst waved his hand dismissively.

“No need for salutes between us. Now, go take some rest.”
“…Rest?”
“An order came from above to grant you leave immediately after receiving your mission report. So take the day off.”

Whether the directive came from the Emperor or Princess Celvia was unclear, but the intention to accommodate him was evident.

While being granted leave upon reporting seemed odd, Daniel could not refuse an order from his superiors, nor did he wish to.

As Daniel nodded in agreement, Ernst added another remark.

“Ah, and tomorrow, you are to attend the Imperial Palace instead of the General Staff Headquarters.”
“The Imperial Palace? Surely His Majesty the Emperor has not summoned me again?”
“No, no. This time, Her Highness the Princess wishes to see you. She likely has inquiries regarding the Velanos negotiations.”

Hearing it was the Princess and not the Emperor brought a sense of relief.

‘The Princess, who is at least well-disposed towards me, is preferable to the Emperor, who views me with outright suspicion…’

Of course, their social standings made interacting with either a daunting prospect.

Nevertheless, meeting Princess Celvia was far more agreeable than facing Emperor Bertram.

“I shall keep that in mind. However…”

Glancing around, Daniel inquired with puzzlement.

“I don’t see my adjutant. Is she perhaps working in my private office?”
“Your adjutant? Ah…”

After a momentary pause, as if recalling, Ernst cleared his throat.

“In fact, your adjutant is currently on leave.”
“On leave?”
“Yes. She seemed quite shaken after the shipwreck incident, so I advised her to apply for an extended leave. After all, the loss of her direct superior must have been traumatic. Though, of course, you are alive and well now!”

Ernst playfully patted Daniel’s back.

However, Daniel’s expression remained solemn, prompting Ernst to continue in a more subdued manner.

“Well… she must be resting at her quarters. So, perhaps it would be best for you to personally check on your adjutant’s condition?”

Ernst’s subtle suggestion caused Daniel’s brow to furrow.

‘Visit the quarters of the woman who tried to assassinate me?’

It was an absurdly perilous proposition, akin to sticking one’s head into the jaws of an alligator.

While Daniel had no desire to comply, he hesitated before declining.

‘…There are too many eyes watching.’

If he showed no concern for his adjutant, who was supposedly traumatized and confined to her quarters, his reputation would undoubtedly suffer.

Moreover, with the Emperor already scrutinizing him for any flaws, providing such fodder for gossip was inadvisable.

Ultimately, Daniel clenched his teeth and forced a strained smile.

“Thank you for the advice. Following the Operations Director’s suggestion, I shall visit my adjutant’s quarters.”

The lack of choice was more agonizing than expected.

“As expected of the Empire’s hero, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel! His heart is as full as his accomplishments! What are you all doing? Applaud him!”

Having an oblivious superior was equally agonizing.

Meanwhile, at Lucy Emilia’s quarters.

“……”

In a room with blackout curtains blocking the light, Lucy lay curled up on the bed, staring blankly downward.

Having neglected personal hygiene for days, her hair was unkempt, her eyes devoid of life, and dried tear stains remained visible on her cheeks.

After her leave request was approved, she had confined herself here, unable to take a single step outside.

However, Lucy could not muster any concern for her disheveled appearance.

Her mind was consumed by guilt and regret.

‘Because of me…’

Lucy’s consciousness drifted into the distant past.

Specifically, the horrific memories from her past.

“What’s your name? Mine is Specimen 96. That’s what people here call me.”

For Lucy, her earliest memory had always been Specimen 96.

That girl was the sole source of color in Lucy’s otherwise monochrome childhood.

Despite her amiable nature, the girl had befriended the cold and aloof Lucy, gradually opening her heart until they became friends.

The girl would often suggest that if they managed to escape this place, they should enjoy delicious food together.

In the hopeless and dreamless research facility, Lucy slowly grew fond of the girl.

However, their childish pinky promise of a meager dream would forever remain unfulfilled.

“Specimen 96 has been disposed of. If you wish to avoid the same fate, give your utmost.”

One day, Specimen 96 vanished.

As if she had never existed in the first place.

Without fully comprehending the concept of farewell, Lucy understood death at that tender age.

‘Even after that…’

Her drifting consciousness leaped forward to a more recent past.

A manor came into view.

The vast manor of Count Kaledra.

There, Lucy could live a new life.

Everything was abundant, with nothing lacking, and everyone treated her kindly.

Living in this dream-like world, Lucy discovered a maidservant around her age.

The chatty and bright-natured maid quickly befriended the reticent Lucy.

Through the maid’s words, Lucy could envision the outside world – the coziness of wheat fields at sunset, the refreshing ocean breeze at noon.

After a long period, Lucy opened her heart once more and grew close to the maid.

Overjoyed to have made a dear friend, Lucy innocently approached Count Kaledra.

“Father! Can my friend and I go on a trip? Just for a day!”

Kaledra had smiled benevolently and inquired about her friend’s name.

In her naivety, Lucy provided the name, and the next day, the maid did not show up at the manor.

Rumors circulated that she had met with a grave accident and perished.

From that day onward, Lucy never referred to Kaledra as “father” again.

“……”

Lucy’s eyes slowly closed as she clenched her teeth.

The emotions without an outlet coalesced within her.

Her feelings had overpowered her reason, dominating her heart.

Letting out a dying breath, Lucy pondered.

Specimen 96 died because I cared for her.

The maid died because I cared for her.

‘And because I cared for him…’

Daniel Steiner died.

It is said that if a coincidence occurs three times, it becomes an inevitability.

Although her reason protested, her heart, consumed by emotion, had already been tainted black.

For it was easier to deny herself than to accept herself.

‘If everyone I care for continues to die…’

Why should she continue living?

What glory could such a life hold?

She no longer wished to think or suffer.

She had grown weary of doubting Count Kaledra.

She wanted to end everything.

It was at that moment, as Lucy slowly opened her eyes, that a sound reached her.

Knock, knock–

A knocking at the front door.

Just as she wondered who it could be, a familiar voice rang out.

“Adjutant! I was told you were here, so I came…”

Daniel Steiner’s voice.

Startled, Lucy’s eyes widened before she shook her head.

No, it couldn’t be. Daniel Steiner was dead.

“Adjutant? Not even securing the door? What if a thief breaks in?”

The voice she had dismissed as an auditory hallucination grew louder.

Her breathing quickened.

Entertaining the possibility, Lucy rose from the bed.

Her body, motionless for days, creaked as it suddenly stirred.

“Ugh…”

A ringing in her ears, her vision flickering.

Her breaths grew more ragged, her body unresponsive.

Nevertheless, Lucy gradually regained control and succeeded in leaving the bed.

“Adjutant! If you’re not here, I’ll be on my way!”

No, she couldn’t let him leave.

Shaking her head desperately, Lucy approached the door and grasped the handle.

After a deep breath, she opened the door and stepped outside, where she could see him.

Daniel Steiner.

Her superior, the foolish man who loved desserts.

“…Adjutant?”

Perplexed by Lucy’s disheveled appearance, Daniel regarded her with bewilderment.

After observing Daniel for a moment, Lucy took a step forward.

She longed to rush towards him, but her malnourished body after days of starvation hindered her movements.

“Dani…”

Her voice failed her, cracking and faltering.

Clearing her throat, Lucy managed to move closer, gazing up at Daniel from a short distance.

Her unkempt hair fell forward, obstructing her vision, but it did not impede her view of Daniel.

“Daniel Steiner…”

Uttering her superior’s name without decorum, Lucy slowly raised her hand.

Her sluggish arm ascended as if caught in a web until her hand touched Daniel’s cheek.

Although startled, Daniel did not recoil, allowing Lucy to confirm the tangible sensation against her hand was not an illusion.

Daniel Steiner was alive.

For reasons unknown, tears welled up in her eyes.

She had shed so many tears that she thought none remained.

Unwilling to reveal her tears, Lucy lowered her head.

Her hand, mirroring the motion, descended to grasp Daniel’s red necktie.

“Lieutenant Colonel. Your necktie is…”

Attempting to change the subject more naturally, Lucy ultimately succumbed to sobs.

The moist, sorrowful whimpers echoed poignantly between them.

Unable to restrain herself any longer, Lucy gently tugged on the necktie, burying her face against Daniel’s chest.

Her trembling shoulders, ragged breaths, and faint sobs conveyed her emotions.

Having cried like a fool, Lucy mustered her strength to speak.

“Welcome…”

Amidst an unprecedented surge of feelings, Lucy revealed her heart with utmost restraint.

“…back. I thought you had…”

However, her mind went blank, as if drenched in white paint.

Breaking the silence, Daniel unexpectedly raised his hand and patted Lucy’s back.

This gesture caused Lucy to finally unleash her pent-up sobs.

It was as if she had reverted to her childhood, when she had failed to cry during the moments that warranted tears.